You don't think it has anything to do with the Republican Party's abandonment of smaller government as it continues to tack to the left and away from the concept of freedom, liberty and self-ownership, do you?
Republicans just seem to miss the writing on the wall.
Really, the writing looks to me that the Libertarians don't want to challenge any democrats.
Tom Cox is doing Kevin Mannix a favor. He's being the "bad guy," and Mannix gets the benefit of better future party discipline, while not having to take any action against wayward Republicans.